Joh. Jos. Prüm, a Mosel Riesling legend, traces its roots to 1156 when the Prüm family first settled in Wehlen. The modern estate formed in 1911 after Johann Josef Prüm split his inheritance, naming it after himself; his son Sebastian shaped its signature finesse during the 1930s-40s, earning global acclaim for racy, age-worthy wines from steep slate vineyards like Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Graacher Himmelreich. Dr. Manfred Prüm elevated it further from 1969 (named German Winemaker of the Year in 1996), passing leadership to daughter Dr. Katharina around 2020 while upholding 100% Riesling from ~22 hectares—70% ungrafted—mostly in top Middle Mosel sites. Tiny production (~15,000 cases/year) and gold capsules denote elite selections from riper, botrytis-touched fruit. Critics like Stuart Pigott hail it as "Germany's best Rieslings with the Mosel's vivacious aroma and racy elegance," while Robert Parker and Antonio Galloni routinely score 94-98+ for crystalline purity and decades-long potential.

The 2022 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese exemplifies Prüm's classical mastery in a stunning vintage of poise and ripeness. From Himmelreich's red-slate slopes—known for generous fruit, floral lift, and mineral grip—this Spätlese ferments in neutral oak with indigenous yeast, rests on lees, and finishes off-dry with laser focus. Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate) praises similar 2022s as "stunningly classical," with salty persistence and nervous freshness; Galloni notes parallel Auslese Goldkapsels as "pure, precise... endless." Expect peach, white flowers, wet stone, and vibrant acidity balancing ~40-50g/L RS—elegant now but built for 20+ years. Micro-lots like this underscore Prüm's benchmark status amid climate challenges.

Why You'll Love It

• Himmelreich's opulent fruit—ripe peach, mirabelle, jasmine—meets Prüm's slate salinity for filigree tension and profound length.

• Off-dry finesse (~40-50g/L RS) avoids cloying notes, balancing vibrant acidity in a 2022 vintage of energy and poise (93-96 points typical).

• Light in body but intense in flavor. A benchmark Spätlese—elegant now, ages 20+ years and rivaling much pricier Goldkapsels.

How to Serve It

• Chill to 50-54°F to unlock floral layers and minerality. Avoid serving ice-cold 

• Optional Decant with young bottles 30-60 minutes; pair with foie gras, lobster bisque, or spicy Thai curry.

• Tall Riesling flute or all purpose white wine stems; Enjoy now or cellar 15-20+ years through 2045+ for continued depth and honeyed evolution.